By : Gbenga Akingbule
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, announced on Thursday that the state has begun exporting plastic products to Chad and Cameroon, marking a significant step towards self-sufficiency.
Gatekeepers News reports that the move, according to the governor, is a strategic part of a broader agenda to industrialise the state and rely less on monthly federal allocation.
Zulum made the announcement during an inspection tour of Borno Plastic Factory located in the new Maiduguri Industrial Area.
The governor revealed that the factory has started its international orders, with finished plastic wares already shipped to neighbouring countries of Chad and the Republic of Cameroon.
“I am happy to note that people from Borno State will no longer procure plastic materials from other places. You have seen that the products have been sold to our neighbouring countries and other states within Nigeria. We will invest more in our industries, so that in the near future, Borno State Government will no longer rely on Federation Account for its day-to-day activities,” Zulum said.
Zulum noted that the facility was initially constructed during the administration of former Governor and now Vice President Kashim Shettima, but was resuscitated as part of his administration’s recovery and development plan.
Governor Zulum explained that to ensure its sustainability and commercial viability, the government transitioned the factory to a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with Tatabe Global Services now managing the day-to-day operations, production, and marketing, while the state government provides oversight and a conducive business environment.
The factory, now operating at full capacity, produces a wide range of items, including plastic chairs, tables, basins, and other plastic materials. It has also created hundreds of direct jobs for indigenes, providing a critical source of livelihood
